MONTEREY PARK - Seven California gubernatorial candidates faced off in a debate that aired live Tuesday evening on CNN.

It was the third time in as many weeks that the leading candidates for California governor met on the debate stage.

The latest installment was a two-hour session, hosted and carried live from Monterey Park. The debate marked the first time the candidates appeared before a national audience and came as mail ballots have begun arriving in homes throughout the state.

Support for California’s troubled high-speed rail project divided the gubernatorial candidates as Democrats and Republicans sparred over the development’s high costs and slow progress, and debated government mismanagement.

The high-speed rail system from Los Angeles to San Francisco was supposed to be completed by 2020.

As for reaction to the debate, the Los Angeles Times observed “Chad Bianco raged, Steve Hilton tried to mask his MAGA-ness with his British accent. Katie Porter scolded, Tom Steyer channeled Bernie. Xavier Becerra did his best impression of the old Bunsen character from “The Muppet Show.” Matt Mahan was just ... there.”

Tuesday’s debate was staged at the East Los Angeles College Auditorium in Monterey Park.

Story Date: May 6, 2026